Nahoko Niwa (left), newly appointed deputy chair of heroines for Environment and Rural Support, poses with her fellow directors on March 12 in Tokyo. Image: KYODO

It was the taste of fresh tomatoes, corn and figs delivered from her father that persuaded Nahoko Niwa to wind up her eventful urban life and become a farmer.

The freshness and taste of local produce is also what led the 34-year-old professional model and writer to try and make farming more appealing to younger generations, while growing vegetables in her hometown in central Japan.

Niwa’s active personality, however, has kept her from being a mere farmer. She is now one of eight executive members of an all-woman network named Heroines for Environment and Rural Support, which promotes links between farming and renewable energy production . . .